Best Foot Forward: Awareness of Melanoma of the Foot Among Podiatrists

This study assessed the awareness and knowledge of melanoma among podiatrists through an 18-question survey distributed to 400 registered members, with a 62% response rate. Findings revealed that while most podiatrists have extensive experience and frequently encounter suspicious pigmented lesions, there is a significant gap in formal training for melanoma detection. Many podiatrists do not feel comfortable referring patients directly to GPs or discussing photoprotection. The study suggests that enhanced undergraduate training, clear referral pathways, and better feedback mechanisms could improve early detection of melanoma of the foot.